Turkey warns Netherlands of 'severe sanctions'

After Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was barred by Dutch authorities from landing in Rotterdam on March 11 for a political rally geared towards Turkish expatriates, hundreds rallied against the decision at the Rotterdam Turkish Consulate. "Lets see how your planes will come to Turkey".

Germany is home to 1.4 million people eligible to vote in Turkey's referendum on April 16.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted angrily, threatening to respond in kind against diplomats from the Netherlands and describing the Dutch as "Nazi remnants" and "fascists".

The Dutch announcement was a reply to Cavusoglu's remarks, that Turkey would impose "severe sanctions" on the Netherlands if attempts were made to cancel his planned Rotterdam rally later on Saturday.

Erdogan also denounced Germany after Turkish leaders were prevented from rallying expats in several German cities in support of the referendum.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted angrily to the news, comparing the Dutch government to Nazis.

The Dutch government said it was open to meetings in the Netherlands to provide information about the referendum, but said Turkey's government "does not want to respect the rules in this matter".

"They do not know politics or global diplomacy. these Nazi remnants, they are fascists", he said at a rally in Istanbul, reported the Guardian, as the crowd booed in response.

The Dutch government said Saturday it had denied entry to Çavuşoğlu over "risks to public order and security", the AP reported.

However, Aboutaleb had earlier said there was no question of him being excluded from the Netherlands.

The Turkish Family Minister Fatma Sahin announced she will arrive to the rally by vehicle and the Turkish Foreign Minister has declared that "Holland's actions will have repercussions".

The family minister's vehicle was intercepted by Dutch police while entering the country.

"As far as the Turkish government is concerned, they couldn't be happier than they are today".

The minister also confirmed that Erdogan "is thinking of a visit to Germany" but the date and place has not been decided yet.